Habitat Conservation

Most of the New Forest SSSI, Special Protection Area, Wetland of International Importance and Special Area of Conservation are managed by the Forestry Commission. Nineteen other SSSIs, three National Nature Reserves and three Local Nature Reserves are managed by others, including Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Hampshire County Council.

We are conscious that there are sometimes conflicting requirements arising from the various Acts of Parliament and EU Directives, and also that commoners and biologists sometimes have different views about what management is required. Overall our perception is that much has happened in the past sixty years to detract from or damage the intrinsic character and special qualities of New Forest landscape embracing its diverse habitats.

We support:

Public authority policies (and if necessary legislation) which recognise that management decisions within the Forest should be consistent with the conservation of natural flora, fauna and physical features and the maintenance and, where appropriate, restoration to favourable condition of the ‘Natura 2000’ network.

Initiatives to change the relative areas of conifer and broad‐leaved plantations in the Forest Inclosures such that the latter are restored to their former dominance.

Returning to the open forest the Verderers Inclosures and certain other intrusive conifer plantations, together with unenclosed woodlands trapped within statutory Inclosures at the time they were established.

Returning some mature broadleaved plantations that make a special contribution to the Forest landscape and ecology to the open forest where they should be permitted to develop without further interference.

Reducing fragmentation of habitats and restoring SSSIs that are in an unfavourable condition.

Restoring historic mires and streams seriously damaged by previous drainage works, where this can be accomplished without the overall loss of grazing important to commoners’ stock.

Systematically eradicating self‐sown pine, rhododendron and other intrusive species from the Forest on a sustained and rolling basis.

We will participate in opportunities to set long‐term or annual management programmes for the Forest and will maintain a watching brief over forest operations carried out within the particularly sensitive and ecologically important Crown land. We believe that a precautionary approach should be adopted in line with the Sandford Principle, which states:

“Where irreconcilable conflicts exist between conservation and public enjoyment, then conservation interest should take priority.”
More about the Habitat and Landscape Committee HERE

Publicly available comments made by the Habitat and Landscape Committee are available HERE.

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Beautifully observed phenomenon from our friends across the pond...Have you seen the same?Crown shyness is a naturally occurring phenomenon in some tree species where the uppermost branches in a forest canopy avoid touching one another. The visual effect is striking as it creates clearly defined borders akin to cracks or rivers in the sky when viewed from below.

Although the phenomenon was first observed in the 1920s, scientists have yet to reach a consensus on what causes it.

According to Wikipedia, it might simply be caused by the trees rubbing against one another, although signs also point to more active causes such as a preventative measure against shading (optimizing light exposure for photosynthesis) or even as a deterrent for the spread of harmful insects.

For you die hard consultation fans: our deeply detailed evaluation of all the objectives and actions in this year's Recreation Management Survey, expressed in the way you were not allowed to in the on-line survey.Enjoy! ... See MoreSee Less